Nestle Purina to present National Dog Show once again

Nestle Purina will keep its sponsorship of the National Dog Show, which airs on NBC on Thanksgiving in the time frame between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the NFL broadcast. The National Dog Show, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, is viewed by more than 20 million people, making the company’s multimillion-dollar commitment worthwhile.
Purina claims the majority of the championship-winning dogs are fed Purina ProPlan.
In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, Purina has launched a social media campaign where dog owners can tell the world why they are thankful for their dog.
For every original post submitted on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram through November 29 that includes @Purina and the hashtag, #dogthanking, Purina will donate one dollar to the AKC Canine Health Foundation – up to $75,000 – to help further pet health research. Submitted videos, photos and posts may be shown during the National Dog Show.
Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir kicked off the campaign by thanking his dog Tema: “Tema is my little prince, and always there wagging his tail when I get home. He brings so much joy to my life, and I am so thankful for his companionship,” Weir said of his Japanese Chin. He and fellow Olympian, Tara Lipinski, will be on special assignment to lend their distinctive presence for the first time to The National Dog Show Presented by Purina.
“Watching the National Dog Show is a treasured Thanksgiving Day tradition for Tema and me, and I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to be a part of it this year,” Weir said. “Purina and I share the belief that when pets and people are together, life is truly better, and we think a great way to demonstrate this during the Thanksgiving season is to share why we’re all thankful for our furry friends.”
TV personality John O’Hurley and expert analyst David Frei, the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on USA network, will host the show as more than 180 breeds vie for “Best in Show” honors in the tradition-rich Kennel Club of Philadelphia competition.

Purina helps celebrate domestic violence shelter dog park

Urban Resource Institute (URI) and Nestlé Purina PetCare hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 13, 2015, to celebrate Manhattan’s first-ever dog park in a domestic violence shelter.
The new dog park is located at Urban Women’s Retreat (UWR), an emergency shelter that is part of the URIPALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program. URIPALS is the only program in New York City and one of the few nationally that allows survivors of domestic violence to live in shelter with their pets. To date, URIPALS has helped 43 families with 63 pets, including 38 cats, 18 dogs, and a range of smaller animals, such as reptiles and fish, escape domestic violence.
Sponsored by Purina, which funded the design and construction of the dog park, the Purina Pet Haven will provide survivors of domestic violence and their families (including pets) with a safe and calming retreat in which to heal together while in shelter. The opening of the new dog park builds upon Purina’s previous support of the URIPALS program. In spring 2014, Purina also sponsored the creation of the Purina Play Haven at URI’s Safe Haven shelter in Brooklyn. Since its opening, the park at Safe Haven has served as a vital component in the healing process for a number of families and their pets.
“Through the URIPALS program, we have witnessed first-hand how important it is for survivors to have their beloved pets by their side while they heal,” said Nathaniel Fields, president and CEO of URI. “From early on in the URIPALS program, Purina has been committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and their pets. We know that the new dog park will play an integral part in helping our clients heal, and for that we are extremely grateful to Purina.”
URI and Purina’s collaboration in support of URIPALS brings together one of New York City’s largest domestic violence service providers and a leader in the pet care industry around the closely linked issues of animal abuse and domestic violence. United by the belief that people and pets are better together, URI and Purina are helping reduce barriers to safety for families with pets in domestic violence situations and hope to continue raising awareness about the impact of abuse on the whole family — including pets.
“For most pet owners, the bond with their pet is incredibly strong, and for people in abusive relationships their pet can be an important source of comfort,” said Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina veterinarian. “Purina is very proud to support the Urban Resource Institute in its efforts to keep families and their pets together during this time of healing.”
As part of its support for the URIPALS program, Purina is also donating Purina ONE brand dog food, Purina Cat Chow brand cat food, along with other dog treats and cat litter. In addition, Purina is working with URI to provide supplies for welcome kits for families bringing pets to Urban Women’s Retreat, including pet travel carriers, safety gates, pet beds, pet feeding and watering bowls, cat scratching posts, leashes and pet toys.
 At the ribbon-cutting, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Aldrin Bonilla and New York State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal issued proclamations celebrating the URIPALS program and its impact on survivors of domestic violence and their pets in New York City.

Survey: Dog owners have difficulty choosing pet food

In light of National Pet Wellness Month in October, Just Right by Purina recently conducted a survey to find out what concerns dog owners have about their dog’s health and wellness, and which aspects they find the most difficult to make informed decisions on.
PSB conducted an online survey among 900 dog-owners in the US. Research was conducted between September 8 and September 11, 2015.

Survey findings

• Nearly half of dog owners surveyed agree choosing the right food for their dog is the most difficult part of pet ownership.
• Half of dog owners surveyed say they think about their dog’s nutrition often.
• More than half of dog owners surveyed (52%) and nearly 7 in 10 Millennial dog owners surveyed (68%) agree their dog’s nutrition is more confusing than their own.
• 70% of dog owners surveyed agree the dog food they select mostly fits their dog’s needs, but is not the perfect fit.
• Of those surveyed, 79% of millennials believe the pet food they select is not the perfect fit.
• Almost 1 in 4 dog owners surveyed say they felt overwhelmed with the amount of choices available the last time they purchased dog food.
• 1 in 4 dog owners surveyed estimated, on average, they spend more than 10 minutes in the dog food aisle deciding between the different blends, brands and flavors available.
• Nearly 4 in 10 (37%) of millennials say they spend more than 10 minutes choosing between the different blends, brands and flavors available.
• When asked about how they would feel if there were a food that could be personalized for their dog’s nutritional needs, dog owners surveyed were primarily positive about this opportunity, with 57% stating they were interested.

September is National Guide Dog Month

September is National Guide Dog Month, a celebration of the work of guide dogs in the US. The month-long event, established in 2009, is a way to raise awareness, appreciation and support for guide dog schools across the country.

test
National Guide Dog Month was inspired by Dick Van Patten, who became impressed by service dogs after a visit to the campus of the Guide Dogs of the Desert in palm Springs, California, USA. After learning the costs to raise and train a guide dog—US$40,000—and the two-year time commitment per dog, Van Patten decided to help raise awareness and money for guide dog schools. Van Patten currently serves as an honorary board member for the Guide Dogs of the Desert. Through his petfood company, Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods, he has underwritten all costs for the promotion of National Guide Dog Month to ensure that all money raised will directly benefit non-profit, accredited guide dog schools in the US.
In 2014, Petco and Natural Balance have teamed up with CSI: Miami's Eva La Rue and Omar Miller to support guide dog organizations.

Purina, Urban Resource Institute create dog park in domestic violence shelter

Urban Resource Institute (URI) and Nestlé Purina PetCare hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate New York City's first-ever dog park in a domestic violence shelter, called the Purina Play Haven and Dog Park. The event marks the official expansion of URIPALS-People and Animals Living Safely-which launched in June 2013 as a pilot program to enable domestic violence survivors to enter shelter with their cats and other small animals. With the opening of the Purina Play Haven and Dog Park, URI will now be able to open its doors to families with dogs. 

test
Sponsored by Purina, which contributed funds for the design and construction of the dog park, the Purina Play Haven and Dog Park will give families at URI's largest emergency shelter in New York City a safe and calming retreat in which to heal together. The unique dog park features a ramp, tunnel, bridge and platform for dogs to play and exercise, as well as overhead trellises to ensure the privacy and security of shelter residents.
"At Purina we share the belief that when pets and people are together, life is truly better," said Lindsey Hogan, brand manager for the Purina brand. "We're very proud to support the Urban Resource Institute and its PALS program, which is helping to keep families and pets together during difficult times."
Studies show that as many as 48% of domestic violence victims stay in abusive situations out of fear of what would happen if they left their pets behind, and more than 70% of pet owners who enter shelter report that the abuser has threatened, injured, or killed family pets. Among New York City's 50 domestic violence shelters, URI is the only one that accommodates pets.

Dog owners purchasing premium petfood in spite of economy

Dog owners continue to buy premium petfood in spite of the current economic climate, according to a survey conducted by online pet supplies store GJW Titmuss. The survey results indicate that 74% of dog owners purchase top-quality, premium petfood products. Twenty-eight percent of owners buy specialty food for their dogs due to skin problems, weight issues, sensitive stomachs or old age.

test
The questionnaire indicated that "quality" over "cost" is the most important factor when choosing suitable dog food-61% chose quality while 9% chose cost and 7% chose brand. Other key findings:

• 85% of people who purchase from GJW solely use the Internet to purchase petfood; 15% purchase both online and in stores; less than 1% purchase directly from veterinarians
• Chicken (60.9%) and lamb (36.32%) were the most popular flavors of dog food; duck (8.33%) and rabbit (7.08%) were the least common
• 81.66% of people purchase treats for their dogs
• 94% of dog owners believe their dog is of "average" weight

BarkBox subscription dog treat delivery service aims for 100,000 customers by end of 2013

BarkBox, an e-commerce and content site for dog owners, was started in December 2011 as a subscription-based pet product delivery service in the US and Canada. The company rebranded in April with the help of US$5 million in funding, now calling itself Bark & Co.
Founded by Matt Meeker, Carly Strife and Henrik Werdelin, Bark & Co. is now offering a mix of products: BarkBox, the subscription service; BarkPost, an online content site; and BarkCare, 24/7 vet care.
To date, the company has raised US$6.7 million and grown to a customer base of more than 35,000. The company aims to have 100,000 users by the end of 2013, driven by word-of-mouth, Facebook marketing and a strong product. Meeker says half of the company's new customers are referred by existing customers.
"The key driver in growth and overall awareness is that we're very careful about building a brand," says Meeker. "We thrive on creativity, brand and living the product."

Online dog sitting community conducts dog owner travel survey

As the summer travel season begins, online dog sitting community Rover.com conducted a third-party consumer survey of nearly 1,000 dog owners in the US to identify their travel habits and pet care needs while on vacation.
According to the survey, about 75 percent of people are planning to travel this summer, but not all will be bringing their dog. “As much as dog owners would like to, sometimes it’s simply not practical, nor cost effective, to travel with our dogs,” said Aaron Easterly, Rover.com CEO.
When travelling without their pet, more than 80 percent of dog owners worry about how their dog is cared for when they are on vacation. Almost 15 percent of respondents said they are unsatisfied by their current dog boarding arrangement, while 70 percent of pet owners said they would travel more if they had a trusted source of dog care.

Iams petfood brand to host Doggie Jam concert in Canada on June 8

On June 8, Iams petfood brand will host a concert for dogs in Canada in celebration of the launch of Iams SO GOOD! dog food. The Iams So GOOD! Doggie Jam will bring together nearly 5,000 dogs and their owners to celebrate the love between people and pets. 
The Doggie Jam will feature the Toronto Concert Orchestra and Chorus playing classical dog-inspired music. The event will also offer attendees a free product coupon sample, redeemable for a bag of new Iams SO GOOD! petfood. 
For more details about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the Ticketmaster website.

Pedigree Feeding Project names two newest cities to receive free petfood

Pedigree petfood brand named Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, and Detroit/ Flint, Michigan, USA, as the newest communities to participate in the Pedigree Feeding Project – a program that supplies shelters with 100 percent of their core dog food needs at no cost.
Pedigree began the search for two new communities in January, asking dog lovers to visit the brand's Facebook page to nominate a community or shelter. Two winners were voted on among five finalists announced by Miranda Lambert in March. Along with Erie and Detroit/Flint, the Pedigree Feeding Project also feeds Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and Chicago, Illinois, USA. 

APPA releases 2013-14 National Pet Owners Survey

Pet ownership rose to an all-time high of 68 percent of the US population in 2012.

The American Pet Products Association released the 2013-2014 National Pet Owners Survey, which found pet ownership in the United States is at a record. The survey indicated that pet ownership among all US households is 68 percent, an increase to 82.5 million pet-owning households in 2012.
Dog ownership rose to 56.7 million households, and cat ownership grew to 45.3 million. These gains in dog- and cat-owning households indicate that the total number of these pets also rose to 83.3 million dogs and 95.6 million cats in the U.S.
Although the number of households owning a pet has increased in all categories from the last survey, the proportion of pet ownership by species has remained stable. Dogs and cats are still the most popular pets, owned by 46.7 and 37.3 percent of US households, respectively. After declining in 2010, ownership of freshwater fish returned to 12 percent. Bird ownership rose slightly to 5.7 percent in 2012. Horse ownership also rebounded in 2012 to 2.3 percent after a slight drop in 2010. Small animal and reptile ownership levels increased to 5.7 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. Saltwater fish ownership increased to 1.5 percent of the total online US population. These rises in pet ownership mean that more households than ever before own small animals, reptiles or saltwater fish.
With the rise in pet ownership, petfood was noted as one of the highest annual expenses for pet owners of all species, except freshwater fish, with US$239 spent on food for dogs and US$203 spent on food for cats. The survey found pet owners' use of pet nutritional supplements and medications is increasing, as well. Veterinarian visits, whether emergency, sick, surgical or routine, are also named as top expenses, particularly among dog, cat and bird owners. The survey also noted that dog owners spend more than cat owners on common expenses.
A rise in the number of multiple pet-owning households to an all-time high of 53.4 million was among contributing factors to the overall growth in pet ownership in 2012. Nearly 40 percent of pet-owning households own multiple types of pets. Similar to past years, the most popular combination of pets owned is a dog and a cat, as noted by 29 percent of pet owners in 2012. Another contributing factor was pet owners' willingness to promote owning a pet to others. In fact, nearly half of pet owners surveyed reported that they heard about their pet's availability by word-of-mouth.
“As an industry, we have been working very hard to promote the joys and benefits of responsible pet ownership, and we are thrilled to see that more people are opening their homes and sharing their families with pets than ever before,” said American Pet Products Association president and CEO, Bob Vetere. 

British dog owners spend more on treats for dogs than partners, research says

British people spend £43 million (US$65 million) more on treating their dogs than their partners, according to new research by More Th>n pet insurance.
Research shows dog owners spend an average of £21.63 (US$32.73) on gifts and treats to celebrate a special occasion for their dog, with one in 10 willing to spend as much as £50 (US$75.7) on their pet.
However, those surveyed said they would not be willing to spend more than £15.52 (US$23.49) to treat their partners for the same special occasions. Additionally, 38 percent of those surveyed said they prefer to spend time with their dogs than their partners.
The nearly 8 million dog owners in the UK spend an average of £152.3 million (US$230.5 million) per year on gifts and treats for their dogs, compared to the £109.2 million (US$165.3 million) spent on their significant others.
“For millions of people, dogs aren’t seen as just animals but as faithful companions at the heart of the home. It’s therefore not surprising to see that people are prepared to splash the cash when it comes to their four-legged friends,” said John Ellenger of More Th>n pet insurance.

'National Dog Show Presented By Purina' earns high rating in 2012

"The National Dog Show Presented By Purina" earned its best rating in eight years, when the two-hour special from the petfood brand delivered a 4.9 rating and an 11 share for NBC during the 12 pm. to 2 p.m. time period on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 22, according to The Nielsen Company.
The rating is an 11 percent increase over 2011's rating, competing against NFL football, and the best since the broadcast did a 5.3 national household rating in 2004. NBC aired an encore presentation of “The National Dog Show Presented By Purina” on the following night, which generated a 3.0 national rating and 5 share in primetime.
Total audience figures for the two broadcasts are likely to exceed 25 million viewers, according to Nielsen. The rating is the percent of all television homes in the United States tuned to a specific program and the share is the percentage of televisions in use at that time tuned to a specific program.

AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show to be held December 12-16

Thousands of dogs will compete in a variety of dog sporting competitions, December 12-16, in Orlando, Florida, USA, as part of the American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship.
The dog competitions have more than 15,500 combined entries for the events at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, which includes agility, obedience, showmanship and other competitions.
In addition to the competition, the American Kennel Club and Eukanuba are hosting Celebrate Dogs! from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16. Celebrate Dogs! will feature dog-centric activities like the Eukanuba SuperDogs, American Kennel Club's Meet the Breeds booths, DockDogs, Eukanuba Extreme Soccer dogs, appearances by celebrity dogs and a canine shopping mall.
Highlights from the Best of Breed judgings will be video streamed by Bowtie Inc. on www.dogchannel.com. Events in the evening at the competition will be streamed live on Ustream. 

PetCareRx.com, DogWork.com give away free pet food

PetCareRx.com, an online retailer of pet medications, pet food and pet supplies, and DogWork.com, an online pet video site, are offering the chance to win free pet food in celebration of the “work” that pets do.
Through December 1, dog owners can submit a photo of their pet "working" for a chance win a one-month or a one-year supply of free pet food. Facebook users may go online and vote for their favorite submissions through December 7. One winner will be randomly selected among these finalists to receive the grand prize of a year's supply of free pet food.
“Our goal is to receive 5,000 contest entries,” says PetCareRx.com CMO, Lutz Braum. “If we get 5,000 entries, we will also donate a one-month supply of food to the hardworking dogs at ECAD which stands for Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities.”
Please visit the contest website for official contest rules. 

By Nature Pet Foods launches online resource for dogs owners

By Nature Pet Foods has launched a new online resource that features the journey back to health of a former bait dog and offers an engaging way for pet owners to access tips on dog ownership.
The new resource tells the story of Colin, an American Bulldog that was used as a bait dog before being found on the streets of Miami, Florida, USA, as well as features two other dogs, all rescued by Big Dog Ranch Rescue and adopted into homes. The resource also provides tips to pet owners on dog ownership, from grooming to nutrition.
Additionally, By Nature Pet Foods donated petfood to Big Dog Ranch Rescue as part of a new partnership, which is being used at the rescue and sent home with adoptive families.

Chef Michael's debuts Food Truck for Dogs

Chef Michael's debuted its first Food Truck for Dogs in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Chef Michael's pet food brand has debuted its first Food Truck for Dogs in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, along with the launch of new dog food recipes.
Dog owners can get involved by following @thefoodfordogs on Twitter or visiting the Facebook page to tell Chef Michael's where the Food Truck for Dogs should go next. Starting in mid-July, visitors to the Chef Michael's Facebook page can sign a "PAW-tition" to show their support for dog food trucks across the US.
Along with the Food Truck for Dogs, Chef Michael's is offering a new line of Carvery Creations, made of real beef or chicken in tender, pull-apart shreds. The new line is available in three flavors: Beef Short Rib, Stewed Chicken and Braised Brisket.
Pet owners can also enter the "Chef Michael's Food for Dogs Sweepstakes" for a chance to win a culinary adventure in New York City, compliments of Food Network Magazine and Chef Michael's. The winner's dog will receive a special prize package too, including a year's supply of Chef Michael's food for dogs. Information on how to enter the sweepstakes is available online.

Celebrate National Dog Day August 26

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, is encouraging pet owners to celebrate National Dog Day on August 26. 
In honor of National Dog Day, the organization offers the following tips to help pet owners celebrate their dogs:
• Take your dog to the park or try out a new trail for a walk. Don’t forget the leash!
• Sit. Shake. Stay. Teach your dog a new trick and reward it with a favorite treat.
• Hire a professional pet sitter to help customize a daily exercise schedule for your dog. 
• Invite your dog to sleep alongside you. Whether it's in your bed or on the floor, he will appreciate your company.
• Make a donation to a shelter or rescue organization in your pet’s name.
“Dogs are the most faithful of friends,” said John D’Ariano, president of National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. “Celebrating National Dog Day is an opportunity to thank your furry friend for his continued loyalty and companionship.”
In addition to National Dog Day, the month of August brings awareness to the many animals that need a home on August 18, National Homeless Pets Day. To support homeless animals across the country, the organization urges pet owners to make a donation to a rescue shelter or organization or volunteer at a local animal shelter.  

Gourmet tea company creates herbal tea blend for dogs

California Tea House, a family-owned, gourmet tea company, created what it says is the first-ever herbal tea blend for dogs. 



Machu's Blend is an herbal tea blend for dogs.
Machu's Blend Tea for Dogs is named after the family's Great Dane and company mascot, Machu Picchu. The all-natural blend of herbs is formulated to promote a balanced immune system, healthy skin and coat, lower stress and aid in the digestion of dry dog food. In addition, the company says Machu's Blend is good for the prevention of bloat, seizures and motion sickness caused by car rides. 

Rising dog ownership in India driving demand for petfood, accessories

Dog ownership in India is rising, according to Euromonitor International, which projects India as the fastest growing global pet market, and rising pet ownership rates are driving demand for pet food, health products and pet accessories.
The Times of India says Gurgaon, India, has a ratio of one dog per 15 people in the city. 
Tanmay Sharma, owner of Pets Pash, said: "When we say 'pet,' the first thing that comes to mind is a dog. The most important reason why people prefer a dog is that after a long, tiring and stressful day, one can relax and enjoy with their pet." 
Rana Atheya, co-owner of e-commerce dog product site Dogspot.in, said that as the status of pets is elevated in India, demand for pet care is also expected to become more sophisticated, with Indian consumers purchasing more premium pet foods and specialty products as they gain a better understanding of their pet's nutritional needs. According to Atheya, research reports indicate that Indian consumers have been slow to embrace feeding commercial petfoods in the past, opting for homemade foods instead, but their preferences are changing with the trend of pet humanization in India. 
Veterinarian Dr. Ashok Kumar, who runs a clinic and pet supply shop in Guragon, says that although the Indian pet product market supply and demand is not balanced, causing an inconsistent supply of pet products, competition within the market has increased, subsequently leading to improved practices.